Monday, December 04, 2006

FINAL EXAM

PHL 320: FINAL PAPERS

Please select one of these questions and write a 5-6 page paper in response.This is not a research paper, but make sure you properly cite your sources.Here’s a website that offers some helpful direction in how to write a philosophy paper:http://www.uwm.edu/~cbagnoli/paperguidelines.htmlIf all else fails, imagine you are talking to me, and that you are able to answer my question using your texts and notes, open-book style.

1. How can a person believe in the traditional theistic God when there is so much suffering and evil in the world? Discuss various responses that have been given in detail. How do you personally answer this question?

2. Explain and evaluate the various positions people take on the relationship of faith and reason. Which one do you find most convincing? Why? How would it pertain to the relationship of science and religion?

3. I Peter 3:15 says: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” How have Christians “answered” unbelievers? Be sure to explain and evaluate, in detail, at least three arguments for the existence of God. Do you find any of them convincing? If so, which one, and why? If not, why not?

4. Is it possible to talk meaningfully about God? Discuss some of the ways people have understood religious language. How would you respond?

5. W. Clifford said, “It is wrong, always, everywhere and for anyone, to believe anything upon insufficient evidence.” Explain what he meant, and its implications for religious belief. Do you agree with him? Why or why not?

6. You may have a topic that you would rather write upon than the ones above. If so, you must clear it with me by e-mail before Thursday at noon.

Please place your completed papers in my mailbox by 1:00 pm on THursday, December 14 in the Faculty Building. Steve will be picking them up for me that afternoon. Thanks so much for your participation in this class.